Rinehart hits out on red tape threat to net-zero needs

'Blind Freddy' should be able to see the need to urgently and significantly cut red tape to allow mines to be developed in the timeframe required to meet net-zero aspirations, according to Hancock Prospecting Group executive chair Gina Rinehart. Addressing The Courier-Mail Bush Summit in Rockhampton yesterday, Ms Rinehart highlighted the massive amounts of critical minerals, rare earths and other minerals required. "The mining industry for a while was getting pretty ecstatic about this," she said. Hancock Prospecting Group executive chair Gina Rinehart. "For instance, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) onshore windmills for electricity generation take approximately nine times the amount of minerals required for a gas-fired power plant of the same capacity. "And, also according to the IEA, the average electric vehicle takes six times the amount of minerals required for a non-electric vehicle. "Australia should indeed have opportunities for critical minerals and rare earths and more minerals, but on the other hand, the government is delaying their exploration and development. "Handouts for exploration to a few favourites is definitely not the answer." She said the reality was that given the time required to get multi-government approvals and permits, Australia could not deliver these essential items in the timeframes that are being proposed. "I mean, we are talking decades to get through government approvals now for significant mines. We just have to bring some reality into this emotional discussion," Ms Rinehart said. "In short, net-zero targets are being forced upon industry, but government is standing in the way of timely developing the rare earths and critical minerals that are required." She also raised concerns about the ability of primary producers to support the costs of measures required to meet decarbonisation goals. "What will happen to the availability of fresh food if farmers and others in agriculture are forced off their land? What will happen to food prices - in case some don't know when output is cut by price caps or net zero - prices will inevitably rise. "How will those on low and low-to-middle incomes already in difficulty with the rising costs of living, with more rising costs to follow as we continue to embark towards net zero, be able to eat? And what food will we need to import? Will it be from Australia's pristine air and waters? No." She said the government must commit now to giving those in agriculture the confidence to continue to invest and to continue producing. "Australia really does need more practical policies. Policies that take into real account the consequences and costs of same if we want to maintain our world-envied living standards. But instead we have too many policies which are preventing the investment that we need to see not only to improve them but even to maintain them."

Rinehart hits out on red tape threat to net-zero needs

Industry Queensland

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